U.S. patent application number 17/145382 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-06 for phase shifting device.
This patent application is currently assigned to KMW INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is KMW INC.. Invention is credited to Yong Hee Han, Gyo Jin Jo, Seong-man Kang, Dae-myung Park, Hae Ri Roh, Chang Won Seo, Sung-hwan So.
Application Number | 20210135328 17/145382 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005383418 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-06 |
![](/patent/app/20210135328/US20210135328A1-20210506\US20210135328A1-2021050)
United States Patent
Application |
20210135328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kang; Seong-man ; et
al. |
May 6, 2021 |
PHASE SHIFTING DEVICE
Abstract
Disclosed is a phase shifter. According to an embodiment of the
present invention, provided is a phase shifter comprising: an
elongated fixed board unit including one or more fixed circuit
boards each having a circuit pattern formed on one surface thereof,
a guiding bracket surrounding the fixed board unit and fixed to the
fixed board unit, and one or more moving board units disposed
between the guiding bracket and at least one surface of the fixed
board unit, guided by the guiding bracket, and including one or
more moving circuit boards having conductive strips formed thereon
that are coupled to the circuit patterns on the fixed circuit
boards.
Inventors: |
Kang; Seong-man; (Seoul,
KR) ; Han; Yong Hee; (Seoul, KR) ; So;
Sung-hwan; (Hwaseong-si, KR) ; Park; Dae-myung;
(Hwaseong-si, KR) ; Roh; Hae Ri; (Namyangju-si,
KR) ; Jo; Gyo Jin; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Seo;
Chang Won; (Yongin-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KMW INC. |
Hwaseong-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
KMW INC.
Hwaseong-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
1000005383418 |
Appl. No.: |
17/145382 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/KR2019/008459 |
Jul 10, 2019 |
|
|
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17145382 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01Q 3/32 20130101; H01P
1/184 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01P 1/18 20060101
H01P001/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 11, 2018 |
KR |
10-2018-0080786 |
Claims
1. A phase shifter, comprising: an elongated fixed board unit
including one or more fixed circuit boards each having a circuit
pattern formed on one surface thereof; a guiding bracket
surrounding the fixed board unit and fixed to the fixed board unit;
and one or more moving board units disposed between the guiding
bracket and at least one surface of the fixed board unit, guided by
the guiding bracket, and including one or more moving circuit
boards having conductive strips formed thereon that are coupled to
the circuit patterns on the fixed circuit boards.
2. The phase shifter of claim 1, characterized in that the guiding
bracket comprises a first segment disposed on one surface of the
fixed board unit and a second segment disposed at the other surface
of the fixed board unit and detachably engageable with the first
segment.
3. The phase shifter of claim 1, characterized in that the moving
board unit comprises a moving housing comprising a guiding rib on
one surface of the moving board unit, the guiding rib extending
along a longitudinal direction of the moving board unit and guided
by the guiding bracket, on one surface of the moving board
unit.
4. The phase shifter of claim 3, characterized in that the guiding
bracket comprises a plurality of rollers in contact with the moving
board unit.
5. The phase shifter of claim 4, characterized in that the guiding
rib is located between the plurality of rollers and is guided by
the plurality of rollers.
6. The phase shifter of claim 1, characterized in that the first
segment comprises a first coupling part formed at one end of the
first segment and a second coupling part formed at the other end of
the first segment, the second segment comprises a third coupling
part formed at one end of the second segment and a fourth coupling
part formed at the other end of the second segment, and the first
coupling part and the second coupling part are detachably
engageable with the third coupling part and the fourth coupling
part, respectively.
7. The phase shifter of claim 1, characterized in that the fixed
board unit comprises side grooves formed at edges thereof, and the
guiding bracket is configured to engaged with the side grooves so
as to restrict movement of the guiding bracket in a longitudinal
direction of the fixed board unit.
8. The phase shifter of claim 1, characterized in that the fixed
board unit further comprises a base board, and the fixed circuit
board is disposed on both surfaces of the base board, and the
moving board unit is disposed in a space between one surface of the
fixed board unit and the first segment and in a space between the
other surface of the fixed board unit and the second segment.
9. The phase shifter of claim 8, characterized in that the base
board is made from a material having a dielectric constant of 2.0
or more.
10. The phase shifter of claim 1, characterized in that a
protruding pin is formed on an inner surface of the moving board
unit, and the protruding pin is inserted into a coupling hole
formed in the moving circuit board to fix the moving board
unit.
11. The phase shifter of claim 1, characterized in that a leaf
spring is disposed between the inner surface of the moving board
unit and the moving circuit board.
12. A communication device comprising the phase shifter according
to claim 1.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Tis application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application NO. 10-2018-0080786, filed on Jul. 11, 2018, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1) Field
[0003] The disclosure relates to a phase shifter.
[0004] 2) Description of Related Art
[0005] The statements in this section merely present background
knowledge for the disclosure, and do not constitute prior art.
[0006] Horizontal beam antennas are most efficient in terms of
coverage, but may need to be designed to be inclined at an angle
due to interference or loss. In this case, mechanically installing
antennas inclined downwards is too much hassle for several reasons
such as the need for an operator to visit on site and shut off a
power supply during the operation. In order to avoid this hassle,
an electrical beam tilt scheme is used rather than the above
mechanical beam tilt schemes.
[0007] The electrical beam tilt scheme is multiple phase shifters
(MLPS) based scheme. The electrical beam tilt scheme is the way
shifts phase difference of signals fed to each of radiating
elements of the antenna arranged vertically. Techniques related to
the electrical beam tilt scheme have been described U.S. Pat. No.
6,864,837, etc.
[0008] On the other hand, in general, a phase shifter must be
provided for the electrical beam tilting. The phase shifter is used
in various fields, including beam control of phased array antennas,
to perform a phase modulation function at an RF analog signal
processing stage. A principle of the phase shifter is to
appropriately delay an input signal so that the phase difference
between the input and output signals is generated, and this may be
implemented by changing a physical length of a transmission line,
changing a signaling speed in the transmission line, and the
like.
[0009] The technique related to these phase shifters is exemplified
by U.S. Patent Publication NO. 2005/94, which discloses a fixed
board unit having one input port and five pairs of output ports and
a moving circuit board having a variable strip. However, the above
prior art has a structure in which a fixed board unit and a moving
circuit board are provided only on one surface of the phase
shifter, and there are restrictions on utilizing the space.
Further, there are disadvantages that the moving parts have become
less durable by repeated frictions of bellies, and it is difficult
to respond to changes of transmission range due to slot length
limit.
[0010] On the other hand, antennas used extensively in recent years
in base stations and repeaters in mobile communication systems are
often multiband frequency antennas for various bandwidth services.
Such multiband antennas need to individually adjust phases of
several band frequencies. To do this, more phase shifters are
required, and there is a problem associated with spatial
constraints.
[0011] In order to address these issues, a method of further
increasing space for the phase shifter in internal space of the
antenna is being used, but this causes a problem that relatively
reduces space for antenna elements.
SUMMARY
[0012] Accordingly, the disclosure is to provide a phase shifter
having a simple configuration and capable of being reduced in size
and weight.
[0013] The disclosure is also to provide a phase shifter making
better use of a space by using less space inside an antenna.
[0014] Moreover, the disclosure is to provide a phase shifter easy
to repair and reassemble.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention,
provided is a phase shifter including: an elongated fixed board
unit including one or more fixed circuit boards each having a
circuit pattern formed on one surface thereof, a guiding bracket
surrounding the fixed board unit and fixed to the fixed board unit,
and one or more moving board units disposed between the guiding
bracket and at least one surface of the fixed board unit, guided by
the guiding bracket, and including one or more moving circuit
boards having conductive strips formed thereon that are coupled to
the circuit patterns on the fixed circuit boards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a phase shifter in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion "A" in FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the phase shifter
in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a construction of a
moving board unit of the phase shifter in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 4B is a perspective bottom view showing elements of the
moving board unit of the phase shifter and combination relations in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a top view of a fixed board unit and a bottom view
of the moving board unit of the phase shifter in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a guiding bracket of
the phase shifter with being coupled in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure; and
[0023] FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the guiding bracket of
the phase shifter with being separated in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In the following, some embodiments of the disclosure will be
described in detail with reference to illustrative drawings. It
should be noted that, in labeling each element in the drawings with
reference numbers, whenever possible, the same elements are
intended to have the same reference numbers even though they are
indicated in different drawings. In addition, in describing the
disclosure, known components or features involved are not described
in detail in order not to obscure the subject matter of the
disclosure.
[0025] The designations such as "a first", "a second", "i)", "ii)",
"a)", "b)", and so forth may be used herein to describe the
components of the embodiments according to the disclosure. These
designations are just to distinguish one element from the other
elements, and do not limit the essence or sequence, order or the
like of those components. As used herein, reference to "include,"
"includes," "including," "comprise," "comprises," "comprising," or
any variation thereof, indicates that any part that comprises any
element does not exclude any other elements, but may also include
other elements, unless expressly stated otherwise.
[0026] In the specification, let the x-axis direction in FIG. 1 be
set to "crosswise"; let the y-axis direction be set to
"lengthwise"; and let the z-axis direction be set to be
"elevational". Meanwhile, let "widthwise" be used in the same
meaning as "crosswise" and "longitudinal" be used in the same
meaning as "lengthwise" to describe with reference to a fixed board
unit 100.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a phase shifter in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, the phase shifter according to an
embodiment of the disclosure includes a fixed board unit 100, a
moving board unit 200, and a guiding bracket 300.
[0029] The same may also include a holder 400 for connecting an
external device and the phase shifter according to an embodiment of
the disclosure.
[0030] The fixed board unit 100 includes circuit patterns 111 which
are signal transmission paths of antenna signals. The fixed board
unit 100 includes one or more ports, through which the fixed board
unit 100 may be connected with antenna cables. The circuit patterns
111 formed on the fixed board unit 100 receives the antenna signals
from the antenna cables, and provides the transmission path of the
antenna signals.
[0031] The moving board unit 200 is formed on one surface or the
other surface of the fixed board unit 100. The moving board unit
200 is stopped from escaping by the guiding bracket 300. Further,
the moving board unit 200 is guided by the guiding bracket 300 and
may slide in the longitudinal direction of the fixed board portion
100. The moving board unit 200 may be displaced on the fixed board
unit 100 by sliding in the longitudinal direction of the fixed
board unit 100. This relative displacement of the moving board unit
200 with respect to the fixed board unit 100 may result in a change
in shape or length of the transmission path of the antenna signals
as described later. In this way, a phase of the antenna signals is
shifted depending on the change of the transmission path of the
antenna signals.
[0032] A system in which the moving board unit 200 is brought into
contact with the fixed board unit 100 may be a surface contact
system in that one surface of the moving board unit 200 comes into
surface-to-surface contact with the circuit patterns 111 formed on
the fixed board unit 100. This surface contact system may cause the
fixed board unit 100 and the moving board unit 200 to be relatively
less damaged compared to a point contact system such as, for
example, a ball-type component brought into contacting with the
circuit patterns 111, etc.
[0033] On the other hand, the moving board unit 200 may be formed
on both surfaces of the fixed board unit 100. This is made possible
by the guiding bracket 300 being located on both surfaces of the
fixed board unit 100 to stop the escape of the moving board unit
200 from outer sides of the moving board unit 200.
[0034] The embodiment has a construction in which the moving board
unit 200 may be formed on both surfaces of the fixed board unit
100, thereby enabling phase shift of the antenna signals on the
both surfaces thereof. As such, since the phase shifter according
to an embodiment of the disclosure enables phase shift on both
surfaces of the fixed board unit 100, the device makes its volume
smaller and better use of a space as compared with a configuration
capable of phase shifting only on one surface thereof.
[0035] One or more guiding brackets 300 are disposed around the
fixed board unit 100, and are fixed to the fixed board unit
100.
[0036] Moreover, the guiding bracket 300 guides the moving board
unit 200, and the moving plate portion 200 may slide along the
longitudinal direction of the fixed board portion 100 in a region
defined by the guiding bracket 300. In particular, the guiding
bracket 300 has a rail structure as will be described later, and
may smoothly guide the moving board unit 200 to reduce damage to
the surfaces of the fixed board unit 100 and the moving board unit
200.
[0037] The guiding bracket 300 may be composed of one or more
segments, and in one embodiment of the disclosure, the two segments
may be configured to be capable of being separated and coupled. By
this configuration in which the guiding bracket 300 may be easily
separated and coupled, the moving board unit 200 and the fixed
board unit 100 constrained by the guiding pocket 300 may easily be
separated or disassembled. In other words, the phase shifter
according to the embodiment has such configuration that is easy to
be separated or disassembled, thereby facilitating repair and
reassembly.
[0038] The holder 400 may serve as a medium for coupling the phase
shifter according to the embodiment to external components. The
holder 400 is fixed on one side to the fixed board unit 100, and is
connected on the other side with fastening holes formed to other
apparatuses external to the antenna. The phase shifter according to
the embodiment and the external device may be directly connected
through the fastening holes formed in the holder 400, or may be
engaged by means of a coupling element such as a bolt, etc.
[0039] On the other hand, since the holder 400 has a locking bar
that is adjacent to the moving board unit 200 and is locked to the
moving board unit 200, the holder 400 may stop the moving board
unit from escaping. In this case, a position of the moving board
unit 200 may be double-guided by the guiding bracket 300 and the
holder 400, allowing the moving board unit 200 to be precisely
positioned.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion "A" in FIG.
1.
[0041] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the phase shifter
in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0042] Now, elements of the phase shifter and combination relations
in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure is now described
in detail with reference made to FIGS. 2-3.
[0043] The fixed board unit 100 may have an elongated plate-like
structure fixedly coupled to at least one side inside the antenna.
The fixed board unit 100 includes the circuit patterns 111 formed
on at least one surface thereof. To be specific, the circuit
patterns 111 are formed on a fixed circuit board 110 of the fixed
board portion 100.
[0044] The circuit patterns 111 may be divided into a portion that
is in contact with and coupled to strips 221 formed on the mobile
circuit board 220 of the mobile board portion 200 and a portion
that is not in contact with the strips 221. Ports connected to
separate cables are formed at ends of each of circuit patterns 111,
so that the antenna signals may be input or output.
[0045] Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the disclosure, the fixed
board unit 100 may include a base board 120 and fixed circuit
boards 110 formed on both surfaces thereof, wherein circuit
patterns 111 may be formed on each of the surfaces of two fixed
circuit boards 110.
[0046] In this case, the base board 120 may be made from a material
having a high dielectric constant. This is to prevent an electric
field generated from the fixed circuit boards 110 formed on one
side of the base board 120 from affecting current signals flowing
through the fixed boards 110 formed on the other side of the base
board 120.
[0047] The current signals flow through the circuit patterns 111 of
the fixed circuit boards 110, and an induced electric field may be
formed due to the flow of the current signals. In the phase shifter
according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the current signals
may flow not only on one surface of the fixed board unit 100 but
also on the other side thereof. In such structure, there is a
concern that the current signals flowing through the circuit
patterns 111 formed on the other surface of the fixed board unit
100 are disturbed due to the induced electric field generated by
the current signals flowing through the circuit patterns 111 formed
in one surface of the fixed board portion 100.
[0048] The embodiment may prevent an electric field generated from
the fixed circuit board 110 disposed on one side of the base board
120 from affecting the signal flow on the fixed circuit board 110
located on the other side, by disposing the base board 120 having a
high dielectric constant between the fixed circuit boards 110 on
both sides.
[0049] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the base board 120 may
be made from Teflon material. Although the dielectric constant of
the Teflon varies depending on the measurement conditions, the base
board 120 has a dielectric constant of approximately 2 or more, so
that it is possible to effectively prevent the electric field
generated from the fixed circuit board 110 disposed on one side of
the base board 120 from affecting the fixed board 110 disposed on
the other side of the base board 120.
[0050] In addition, if the base board 120 is made from Teflon
material, the base board 120 may maintain the physical properties
in a wide range of temperature, and has excellent heat-resisting
property, which also prevents thermal damage to the fixing circuit
board 110.
[0051] On the other hand, side grooves 130 may be formed at edges
of the fixed board unit 100. The guiding bracket 300 may be fixed
to the side grooves 130 of the fixed board unit 100. Specifically,
each of end portions of a first segment 310 or a second segment 320
constituting the guiding bracket 300 may be fastened.
[0052] Widths of the side grooves 130 may be equal to or slightly
larger than widths of each of the end portions of the first segment
310 or the second segment 320 of the guiding bracket 300. The side
grooves 130 of the fixing circuit board 110 restrict a movement of
the guiding bracket 300 in the longitudinal direction with respect
to the fixed circuit board 110.
[0053] The moving board unit 200 is disposed between the guiding
bracket 300 and one surface of the fixed board unit 100.
[0054] The moving board unit 200 may include a moving housing 210,
and a moving circuit board 220 disposed within the moving housing
210. On the other hand, Although the embodiment describe a
configuration in which the moving housing 210 and the moving
circuit board 220 are separated from each other as one example,
alternatively, the moving board unit 200 may has a configuration
where the moving housing 210 and moving circuit board 220 are
integrally formed. The moving housing 210 may be disposed on one
surface and the other surface of the fixed board unit 100.
[0055] The moving circuit board 220 may be disposed in a space
defined in the moving housing 210.
[0056] The moving circuit board 220 may be on one surface thereof
in contact with and coupled to circuit patterns 111 formed on the
fixed circuit board 110.
[0057] The contact state between the moving circuit board 220 and
the fixed circuit board 110 changes as the moving board 220 slides
on the fixed board portion 100 in conjunction with the sliding of
the moving housing 210 along the longitudinal direction of the
fixed board unit 100. The length and shape of the transmission path
of the antenna signals changes according to such change in the
contact state.
[0058] The guiding brackets 300 are disposed on outer sides of the
moving board unit 200.
[0059] In one example, the guiding bracket 300 may be composed of
the first segment 310 and the second segment 320. The guiding
bracket 300 may also include one or more rollers 330 and shafts 340
connected to the first segment 310 and the second segment 320,
respectively.
[0060] The first segment may be disposed in one side region of the
fixed board unit 100.
[0061] The first segment 310 is coupled and fixed to the second
segment 320 at end portions thereof, and one or both of end
portions of the first segment 310 are disposed and fixed in the
side grooves 130 formed in the fixed board unit 100, thereby
preventing escape in the longitudinal direction of the fixed board
unit 100. In this case, the widths of the end portions of the first
segment 310 are snapped into the side grooves 130 such that the
guiding bracket 300 may be prevented from wobbling.
[0062] The first segment 310 is engaged with the second segment 320
to prevent elevational escape, and is fixedly disposed in the side
grooves 130 of the fixed board unit 100, thereby being prevented
from longitudinal escape. This also prevents the shafts 340 and the
rollers 330 coupled to the first segment 310 from escaping. In
addition, since the first segment 310 is in a fixed position, the
moving board unit 200 disposed between the first segment 310 and
the fixed board portion 100 is also prevented from escaping.
[0063] The second segment 320 may be disposed in the other side
region of the fixed board unit 100.
[0064] The second segment 320 is coupled and fixed to the first
segment 310 at end portions thereof, and one or both of end
portions of the second segment 320 are disposed and fixed in the
side grooves 130 formed in the fixed board unit 100, thereby
preventing escape in the longitudinal direction of the fixed board
unit 100. In this case, the widths of the end portions of the
second segment 320 are snapped into the side grooves 130 such that
the guiding bracket 300 may be prevented from wobbling.
[0065] Further, the second segment 320 is engaged with the first
segment 310 to prevent elevational escape, and is fixedly disposed
in the side grooves 130 of the fixed board unit 100, thereby being
prevented from longitudinal escape. This also prevents the shafts
340 and the rollers 330 coupled to the second segment 320 from
escaping. In addition, since the second segment 320 is in a fixed
position, the moving board unit 200 disposed between the second
segment 320 and the fixed board portion 100 is also prevented from
escaping.
[0066] The rollers 330 may be connected to a shaft 340 coupled to
the inner surfaces of the first segment 310 and the second segment
320.
[0067] There could be a plurality of rollers 330 disposed. The
plurality of rollers 330 may be spaced apart from one another. The
distance apart between the plurality of rollers 330 may be equal to
or slightly greater than a crosswise width of a guiding rib 211 of
the moving housing 210. In this case, the guiding rib 211 is
disposed in a space defined between the plurality of rollers 330,
so that the guiding rib 211 may be prevented from escaping
crosswise. Accordingly, the plurality of rollers 330 may guide the
moving board unit 200.
[0068] One surface of the rollers 330 may be in contact with a
portion of the one surface of a moving board unit 200 on which the
guiding rib 211 is not formed. Specifically, one surface of the
rollers 330 may be in contact with a surface of the moving housing
210 adjacent to the guiding rib 211. The roller 330 may rotate
about the shaft 340 while maintaining contact with one surface of
the moving housing 210 when the moving board unit 200 slides along
the longitudinal direction of the fixed board unit 100.
[0069] Since the roller 330 maintains contact with the moving
housing 210 of the moving board unit 200 when the moving board unit
200 slides, prevention of elevational vibrations of the moving
board unit 200 to allow the moved board portion 200 to smoothly
slide is possible. Also, the moving circuit board 220 hereby is
prevented from elevational vibrations, so that the contact between
the strip 221 formed on the moving circuit board 220 and the
circuit pattern 111 formed on the fixed circuit board 110 may be
stably maintained.
[0070] The shaft 340 is coupled to the inner surface of the guiding
bracket 300. For example, the shaft 340 may be rotatably coupled to
the inner surface of the guiding bracket 300. If the shaft 340 is
rotatably coupled to the inner surface of the guiding bracket 300,
the roller 330 may be fixedly coupled to the shaft 340. In this
case, as the shaft 340 rotates, the roller 330 may also rotate.
[0071] On the other hand, the shaft 340 may be fixedly coupled to
the inner surface of the guiding bracket 300. Herein, the roller
330 is not fixedly coupled to the shaft 340, but rather may be
arranged so as to be rotatable on the shaft 340. In this case, when
the moving board unit 200 moves, the shaft 340 does not rotate, and
only the roller 330 rotates independently.
[0072] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a construction of a
moving board unit of the phase shifter in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0073] FIG. 4B is a perspective bottom view showing elements of the
moving board unit of the phase shifter and combination relations in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0074] Now, individual elements of the moving board unit 200 of the
phase shifter and combination relations in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure is now described with reference made
to FIGS. 4A-B.
[0075] As previously described, the moving board unit 200 includes
the moving housing 210 and the moving circuit board 220. The moving
board unit 200 may also include a leaf spring 230 between the
moving housing 210 and the moving circuit board 220.
[0076] The moving housing 210 may include a guiding rib 211 and
moving board placements 212.
[0077] The guiding rib 211 may be formed on the outer surface of
the moving housing 210. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the
guiding rib 211 protrudes from one surface of the moving housing
210, and may be in a form extending in the longitudinal direction
of the moving housing 210.
[0078] The guiding rib 211 may be stopped from escaping by the
guiding bracket 300 disposed adjacent to the outer sides of the
moving housing 210. The guiding rib 211 is stopped from escaping by
the guiding bracket 300, thereby preventing escape of the moving
housing 210. Specifically, as previously described, the roller 330
of the guiding bracket 300 prevents the guiding rib 211 and the
moving housing 210 from escaping.
[0079] Furthermore, the guiding rib 211 is guided by the guiding
bracket 300 during sliding of the moving housing 210. The moving
housing 210 hereby slides along the longitudinal direction of the
fixed board unit 100 while being guided by the guiding bracket 300.
The presence of the guiding rib 211 prevents crosswise wobbling of
the moving circuit board 220 arranged inside the moving housing 210
with respect to the fixed board unit 100, enabling a stable contact
between the moving and fixed circuit boards 220, 110.
[0080] On the other hand, a portion of an upper surface of the
moving board unit 200 where the guiding rib 211 is not formed may
be formed as a flat surface in one embodiment of disclosure. This
flat surface may contact one surface of the roller 330. This
configuration enables stable contact of the strip 221 with the
circuit pattern 111 by preventing the elevational vibrations of the
moving housing 210 and the moving circuit board 220 during sliding
of the moving board unit 200, as previously described.
[0081] The moving board placement 212 is a space in which the
moving circuit board 220 may be located. The moving board placement
212 is configured such that the space is defined between the moving
housing 210 and the fixed board unit 100 in which the moving
circuit board 220 may be located. The crosswise and lengthwise
widths of the moving board arrangement 212 may be similar to or
slightly larger than crosswise and lengthwise widths of the moving
circuit board 220.
[0082] As the moving circuit board 220 is placed in the moving
board placement 212, the moving circuit board 220 also slides on
the fixed board unit 100 in conjunction with the sliding of the
moving housing 210, and the position changes of the same.
[0083] An elastic leaf spring 230 may be disposed in a space
defined between one surface of the moving board placement 212 and
the moving circuit board 220. The leaf spring 230 continuously
presses the moving circuit board 220 toward the fixed board portion
100, and hence the moving board 220 and the fixed board unit 100
may be kept in contact with each other stably.
[0084] On the other hand, a protruding pin 213 may be formed in the
moving board placement 212, which extends from the inner surface of
the moving board arrangement portion 212, in order to prevent
lateral wobbling of the moving circuit board 220.
[0085] In this case, a coupling hole 222 may be formed in the
moving circuit board 220 for insertion of the protruding pin 213 of
the moving board placement 212, wherein the protruding pin 213 is
inserted into the coupling hole 222 and fixes the moving circuit
board 220, whereby may prevent the lateral wobbling and escape of
the moving board 22. On the other hand, a through hole through
which the protruding pin 213 passes is formed in the leaf spring
230 is desirable. On the other hand, for insertion of the
protruding pin 213, a coupling hole rather than the coupling hole
222 may be formed in the moving circuit board 220.
[0086] The moving circuit board 220 may be disposed in the moving
board placement 212 of the moving housing 210. The moving circuit
board 220 includes a strip 221 disposed on a surface in contact
with the fixed circuit board 110. Again, the coupling hole 222 may
be formed in the moving circuit board 220.
[0087] The strip 221 formed on the moving circuit board 220 may be
in contact with and coupled to the circuit pattern 111 formed on
the fixed circuit board 110.
[0088] The contact aspect between the strip 221 and the circuit
pattern 111 changes as the moving circuit board 220 slides on one
side surface of the fixed board portion 100 in conjunction with the
sliding of the moving housing 210 along the longitudinal direction
of the fixed board portion 100. The contact state of the strip 221
and the circuit pattern 111 changes according to the displacement
and placement state of a moving circuit board 220, and the length
and shape of the transmission path of the antenna signals change
according to such change in the contact state.
[0089] The coupling hole 222 formed in the moving circuit board 220
is engaged with the protruding pin 213 formed on the moving housing
210 to fix the moving circuit board 220 to the moving housing 210,
whereby may prevent wobbling and escape of the moving circuit board
220.
[0090] FIG. 5 is a top view of the fixed board unit 100 and a
bottom view of the moving board unit 200 of the phase shifter in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0091] Referring now to FIG. 5, a process of coupling the strip 221
of the moving circuit board 220 to the circuit pattern 111 on the
fixed circuit board 110 of the phase shifter according to an
embodiment of the disclosure will be described.
[0092] In FIG. 5, shown is a configuration in which the strip 221
formed on the moving circuit board 220 is in a form of U-shaped,
and each strip 221 has symmetry with respect to a central portion
on the moving board unit 200. However, that the shape and
arrangement of the strips 221 may be configured differently as
needed for design and modification of the circuit pattern 111 is
evident.
[0093] Some of the circuit patterns 111 on the fixed circuit board
110 are in contact and coupled with strips 221 formed on a lower
surface of the moving circuit board 220. The moving circuit board
220 is located in the moving board placement 212 within the moving
housing 210 and thus slides in the longitudinal direction of the
fixed board portion 100 as the moving housing 210 moves.
[0094] As the moving circuit board 220 moves in the longitudinal
direction of the fixed circuit board 110, the contact state of the
circuit pattern 111 and the strip 221 changes, and the signal path
length and shape may change depending on such change in the contact
state. Accordingly, the antenna signals are phase-shifted depending
on changes in signal path length and shape as the moving circuit
board 220 moves.
[0095] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a guiding bracket 300
of the phase shifter with being coupled in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0096] FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing a guiding bracket 300
of the phase shifter with being separated in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0097] Now, elements of the guiding bracket 300 of the phase
shifter and combination relations in accordance with an embodiment
of the disclosure is now described with reference made to FIGS.
6A-B.
[0098] The guiding bracket 300 may include a first segment 310 and
a second segment 320.
[0099] A first coupling part 311 is formed at one end of the first
segment 310, and a second coupling part 312 is formed at the other
end of the first segment 310. A third coupling part 321 is formed
at one end of the second segment 320, and a fourth coupling part
322 is formed at the other end of the second segment 320. The first
coupling part 311 is engaged with the third coupling part 321, and
the second coupling part 312 is engaged with the fourth coupling
part 322.
[0100] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the first coupling part
311 of the first segment 310 may be in a form that extends and
projects from an end portion of one side of the first segment 310.
The first coupling part 311 may be configured to have a locking bar
projecting outward from the first segment 310 and to which the
third coupling part 321 is engaged, at one end. Also, the first
coupling part 311 may be tapered on one surface so that the third
coupling part 321 is readily engaged.
[0101] On the other hand, the third coupling part 321 of the second
segment 320 may be in a form that extends and projects from an end
portion of one side of the second segment 320. The third coupling
part 321 may be configured to have a locking bar projecting inward
from the second segment 320 and to which the first coupling part
311 is engaged, at one end. Also, the third coupling part 321 may
be tapered on one surface so that the first coupling part 311 is
readily engaged.
[0102] The locking bar of the first coupling part 311 and the
locking bar in the third coupling part 321 are engaged with each
other to maintain the engagement between the first segment 310 and
the second segment 320. The first coupling part 311 and the third
coupling part 321 may be elastic members to easy to fasten.
[0103] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the second coupling
part 312 of the first segment 310 may be in a form that extends
from an end portion of the other side of the first segment 310, and
projects outward of the first segment 310 at one end.
[0104] On the other hand, the fourth coupling part 322 of the
second segment 320 may configured to extend from an end portion of
the other side surface portion of the first segment 320, and to
have a locking groove or a locking hole to which the second
coupling part 312 of first segment 310 may be engaged atone end.
The end portion of the second coupling part 312 may be configured
to have a locking bar that may be engaged to the locking groove or
the locking hole of the fourth coupling part 322. Also, the end
portion of the second coupling part 312 may be tapered on one
surface thereof so that the fourth coupling part 322 is readily
engaged.
[0105] A width of the locking groove or the locking hole of the
fourth coupling part 322 is formed to be similar to a width of the
second coupling part 312, whereby the second coupling part 312 may
be steadily fixed in the longitudinal direction of the fixed board
unit 100. This locking groove or locking hole of the fourth
coupling part 322 stops the second coupling part 312 from
elevational movement as well as longitudinal movement with respect
to the fixed board unit 100, enabling the guiding bracket 300 to be
securely fastened.
[0106] In other words, in one embodiment of the disclosure, it is
possible to securely and conveniently fasten the first segment 310
and the second segment 320 by first fastening the second coupling
part 312 and the fourth coupling part 322, thereby preventing the
first segment 310 and the second segment 320 from longitudinal
movement with respect to the fixed board unit 100, and then
fastening the first coupling part 311 and the third coupling part
321.
[0107] The foregoing describes the technical idea of the embodiment
by way of illustration only, and thus various modifications and
variations may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art to which
the embodiment belongs without departing from the essential
attributes of the embodiment. Therefore, the embodiments are
intended to illustrate, and not to limit the technical idea of the
embodiment, and the scope of the technical idea of the embodiment
is not limited to these embodiments. It is intended that the scope
of protection of the embodiment shall be interpreted as set forth
in the following claims and to encompass all technical ideas
falling within range of equivalents thereof.
* * * * *